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Emotional tension gripped Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Thursday as thousands of grieving people attempted to see the body of the late former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, resulting in violent confrontations with law enforcement.

The problem began when large groups of people forced their way past security barriers within the 48,000-seat stadium. Authorities used tear gas and fired warning shots into the air to manage the growing disorder.

Footage captured the police battling to manage the overwhelming crowd of grieving individuals. Individuals were observed fleeing in fear as clouds of tear gas enveloped the area.

A number of people collapsed or got hurt, and teams from the Kenya Red Cross arrived quickly to provide assistance.

Earlier that day, thousands of individuals had assembled at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to welcome Odinga’s remains, which arrived from India on a private Kenya Airways flight.

The crowd managed to bypass airport security in order to view the coffin, leading officials to briefly halt activities.

In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority mentioned that it was necessary to temporarily close the airspace to restore order and ensure passenger safety before returning to regular operations.

After a lengthy funeral procession, Odinga’s body was taken from the airport through downtown Nairobi to Kasarani. Numerous grieving individuals walked alongside, holding Kenyan flags and pictures of the person they affectionately referred to as “Baba.”

When the convoy arrived at Kasarani, the stadium was already packed.

The National Funeral Committee relocated the public viewing from Parliament to a bigger location, yet it still struggled with the huge number of attendees.

Hostilities escalated as individuals waiting outside insisted on gaining access to the VIP area where Odinga’s body was being displayed. Law enforcement declined, resulting in a rush and additional confrontations.

The Kenyan government has announced a week-long period of national mourning for Odinga. President William Ruto stated that Odinga will be given a state funeral accompanied by full military honors.

The official event is set to occur on Friday at Nyayo National Stadium, after which the remains will be transported to Kisumu on Saturday for public display. The funeral is planned for Sunday at Odinga’s family home in Bondo, Siaya County, in accordance with his request to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.

Family sources stated that Odinga, who is 80 years old, fell ill during a morning stroll in India on Wednesday and was declared deceased at Devamatha Hospital, located near Kochi.

The passing of Raila Odinga marks the conclusion of a significant era in Kenyan political history. As a five-time presidential contender and enduring opposition figure, he dedicated over four decades to advocating for democracy, constitutional changes, and fairness within Kenya.

To many, Odinga represented both defiance and togetherness, a person who endured jail and exile but still brought hope for a brighter Kenya.

As mourners wept and shouted “Baba! Baba!” amidst the smoke from tear gas at Kasarani, it became evident that Kenya had not only lost a politician but also a profoundly cherished national icon.